Hip Hop and you don't stop, Rhythm and Blues and you can't lose.

 11/30/2008 00:42:38  ♥ written by vu ()

THE PIMPS OF JOYTIME thepimpsofjoytime.com ♥ myspace.com The Pimps of Joytime-H2O (Cyril Neville) the Pimps of Joytime Actually the name and cover artwork fooled me into thinking they are hip-hop or rap (hey, work on your image!). Even NPR last year wrote "probably some more third-rate rap". The Pimps of Joytime, I'm here to report, is more funk, soul and mixes than anything else. But since I already picked out my six albums for this article, I am including it here. They actually sent me two albums, their 2007 High Steppin, and a remix album called Funk Fixes & Remixes. Just quickly on the remix album, it's pretty dancey and fast-paced but on one particular track ("Street Sound" remix by Nikodemus), it was hard for me to listen to on headphones because I started hearing all these "static" sounds which is actually part of the remix. High Steppin sounds to me as heavily influenced by funk, but there are some interesting genres thrown in as well. For instance, "Bonita", the Spanish word for beautiful, has obvious Latin/Spanish acoustics and rhythm. The remixed song for this song has a different take, focusing more on the drums and its chorus: "oh bonita, I wanna love ya like I need-ta". Although "Bonita" would easily qualify as the hand-picked song, I felt that it didn't really represent the band with its influence in Latin sound. However, there are enough hand drums and soulful singing on "H2O", that I thought would fit better. I reckon it's also their stand-out track because it features Cyril Neville (of the Neville Brothers). The remixed song by DJ Smash, again, change the song to something to more of a reggae dub song... an interesting take at the very least. If you're funk fan (or just a massive bass fan), you should give these guys a try. If you're in the New York area, be sure to check them out in December: Nublu w. dj nickodemus (12/04) and Southpaw (12/12). You can pick up High Steppin via iTunes. Physical copies can be gotten at Amazon.	P GUTTA myspace.com/pguttatheantidote P Gutta - Head 2 The Sky P Gutta P Gutta's a rap artist from Maryland and based on the street signs in his cover artwork on Failure's Not An Option, maybe he's trying to put MD on the map. The album is pretty much hip/hop and rap with its influence particularly in 80s gangsta rap. The album surprisingly details very personal stories about P Gutta's life: he's a father, his everyday struggle, being the son of a dealer ("Son Of A Hustler") and growing up ("The 80's Made Me"). Some of the songs I did enjoy feature some infectious loops, like on "Failure's Not An Option". The song doesn't really say much in terms of lyrics, at least compared to some of his better lyrics. But that's not what this song is about; it's just an intro song and shout out to his peeps, hyping up the album (basically telling you that this album is for everybody, for the streets). There is an inspiring song on the album; it's the last song, "Head 2 The Sky", which sounds like it's a speech that he's giving to his child: "you got the power to be what wanna be, do what you wanna do, see what you wanna see. Through hard work you should see what you wanna, because there's one thing in life you don't wanna be is a wannabe." Never lose hope and just keep the faith, is the message and it's my song choice. One thing I noticed is that he seems to like to say "pit of the stomach", which is a phrase that's repeated on "Life Is So Strange" and "Failure's Not An Option". I wouldn't bring it up but is that a common phrase? If you enjoy Notorius BIG, I think you'll find P Gutta's your cup of tea. You can currently pick up the album on CD Baby (CD) and Digstation (MP3).
WENDY ST KITTS wendystkitts.com ♥ myspace.com Wendy St. Kitts - Woman Empowered Wendy St. Kitts I get the impression after listening to Wendy St. Kitts' debut album, Woman Empowered, and especially on her song of the same title, that this was a post-breakup album or something. The theme is obviously about strength and belief in yourself. After this thought, I was happy to see that St. Kitts confirms this: Woman Empowered is the best way for me to define myself and my music. In writing this album and in sharing my story, I have eased my load. I am FREE! I never thought this was possible. I am smiling, dancing, laughing, living and loving. I did get something wrong though, I thought she sounded more soul singer/songwriter, but didn't even think about her Caribbean influences (which in retrospect seems obvious now).  She's also really inspired by afro beats and reggae (we'll get to that later). The album goes into questioning true love ("So Good (Yeah)", "Should I Love Him or Walk Away") or expensive gifts (in the case of "Treasure"), and complete devotion (on the reggae-inspired "Water" song). Not to sound chauvinistic, but I hope she finds someone soon! If you enjoy R&B with a keyboard and soulful singing, Wendy St. Kitts definitely has that voice that will fill the void. She is playing a few dates in the New York area: The Bitter End (12/27) and Sullivan Hall (01/24). You can pick up the CD or MP3 via amazon.	KURUPT & ROSCOE youngotti.com ♥ myspace.com ♥ myspace/yaroscoe Kurupt & Roscoe - Game Been Missin Kurupt & Roscoe Of all the hip hop CDs, this one from Kurupt is the most famous, because of his history with The Dogg Pound and Death Row Records. Death Row, if you don't know, is responsible for some of the biggest, baddest rappers from West Coast such as Dr. Dre, 2Pac, and Snoop Doggy Dogg. Incidentally, Suge Knight is one scary MF. Although Tha Dogg Pound was not one of the premier Death Row artists, just being associated with such superstars of rap has some weight carried with its two members (Kurupt and Daz Dillinger). They went on to release a combination of over 20 albums between the two of them since 1998. With all that history on Kurupt's rap sheet, I was expecting this album, Frank and Jess Story, to be aggressive hardcore gangsta stuff but it's pretty accessible, as far as I'm concerned. The album was cut with the help of his brother Roscoe, who's previously collaborated with his brother on their debut album, Dogg Food. The usual theme applies here, as expected: they like the girls ("I Like Dem Girls" which sounds like an excerpt to a much longer woman-loving song, and "Lap Dance"), gangsta ("Game Been Missin"), name-dropping ("Bustin"), and, of course, self-loving ("Hate on Me"). The best song on the album is "Game Been Missin'", which features a very catchy chorus of: "this right here has been what the world's been missin'/this right here is why you're girl's been missin'". Frank and Jess Story was released on November 11th on Koch Records and can be found at most good record stores.
ANJULIE myspace.com/anjulie Anjulie - Boom Anjulie Based on her three tracks on the release of The Boom EP (digitally released via iTunes exclusively on November 11th), I have to say that you should keep an eye on Anjulie (Toronoto raised, currently based in Montreal)! She will be debuting her album on Starbuck's Hear Music label in 2009. I would have to add that she's borderline on Pop music as well. It's not a bad thing, it reminds me of sixties girl pop music (especially on "Day Will Soon Come"). The EP features two songs co-written by her producer/collaborator Jon Levine, who was apparently famous for being in The Philosopher Kings. The Anjulie-written song, "Love Song" basically a love song in a fleeting three-minute pop song. The main song and single, "Boom", is really good. Easy, relaxing, and for some odd reason, it really reminds me of that 80s song that goes "boom boom boom let's go back to my room". I do think she's good and if they send me her debut album, I am looking forward to covering it. Unfortunately, she might be missed in a sea of similiar-sounding women artists like Adele, Nelly Furtado, and Lily Allen.	RHODA rhodankojo.com ♥ myspace.com/rhodankojo Rhoda - Nothing Really Matters Rhoda I had a bit of trouble finding Rhoda's website and Myspace, which goes to show you that you need a brand association or unique name.... I don't know why she didn't just keep using her full name (Rhoda Nkojo). Her self-titled album was released last year (although it is only recently available digitally via iTunes). I believe this is her sophomore album. The album has a very contemporary pop/R&B feel to it with some very good mixing and arrangements. In some cases, strings and violins were used to give the album a bit of class. The songs that used this really stood out for me ("Consequences" and "Rememeber You"). My favorite song on the album is the very poppy "Nothing Really Matters", which seems to have a eudodisco beat! I just love how the lyrics keep flowing on and on. At one point, I swear she is channeling Whitney Houston. Rhoda is making some appearances in 2008 at The Bitter End in New York (12/05) and Bally’s Hotel and Casino in Atlantic City, New Jersey (12/31). You can pick up the self-titled album at CD Baby, iTunes or Digstation.

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